John Schwallie, an AU senior Songwriting major, has spent the semester at the Center for Contemporary Music in Nashville. Next Tuesday, the CMC tour will stop by Reardon Auditorium for a performance.
Schwallie is no stranger to the AU music scene, as his band John Louis & the Midwest performed many times on campus, and his more recent project, understatements, gathered hype in the AU community with its release. The CMC tour stop, however, will offer a fresh way for AU fans to experience Schwallie’s music.
“Anyone who has enjoyed my music at Anderson should be excited to hear some new tunes,” Schwallie said. “I’ve written and recorded lots of new material [in Nashville] and will be playing a couple brand new songs on tour.”
The CMC offers a great opportunity for students, inexperienced and experienced, to hone their skills relating to the music business. Schwallie has been no exception, and he cites his time thus far at the CMC as being instrumental in his recent growth as an artist.
“Working at the CMC this semester has made a huge difference in my writing,” Schwallie said. “I’ve had many opportunities to collaborate with other artists and producers, and I’ve made large strides forward both musically and lyrically.”
The tour that the CMC embarks on offers aspiring artists and managers the chance to put together and participate in a live tour experience, giving the chance for increased publicity and practice. Schwallie will be one of the headlining artists for the tour, which will be stopping by Wheaton College, Judson University and Spring Arbor University in addition to its AU and Nashville shows.
“The CMC tour allows the entire program to be heavily involved in a very professional production,” Schwallie said. “For me specifically, it gives me the chance to grow as a player (in the house band) and as a headlining artist. I’m really looking forward to performing on tour at so many different schools.”
As for what’s next in his music, Schwallie emphasizes his growth and shifting as a writer and an artist.
“This semester has definitely been revealing as far as the style of music I typically perform,” Schwallie said. “Since I’ve been [in Nashville] I have done my best to find the sound and style I work best in. People who are familiar with my music will notice more acoustic and keys-driven work than in my previous material. I am very proud of the progress I’ve made and I feel like the songs I’ve written here have been among the most honest and emotional I’ve ever written.”
The CMC show is free, and will take place on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Reardon Auditorium.